2022 SUBARU FORESTER WILDERNESS

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from front of vehicle near radiator area, CVT overheating warnings on dash, Pink or red fluid visible under car after parking, Burning smell from transmission fluid hitting exhaust

Fix: Replace external CVT oil cooler and lines, flush transmission fluid. 3-4 hours labor. Some techs also replace the radiator if coolant contamination is suspected in shared-core designs.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning more than 1 quart oil per 1,000-1,500 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or deceleration, Fouled spark plugs, misfires on cylinder 2 or 4 typically, Loss of power under load

Fix: Short block replacement is the definitive fix—pistons, rings, rods, and bearings all replaced. Some owners attempt piston ring jobs alone (16-20 hours), but short block swap is more reliable long-term (12-15 hours). Subaru extended warranty covers some cases if documented oil consumption exceeds 1 qt/1,200 mi.

Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant seepage visible at block/head mating surface, often passenger side first, Slight coolant smell after engine heat cycles, Gradual coolant loss without external leaks elsewhere, No overheating or white smoke—typically external weep, not combustion chamber breach

Fix: Replace both head gaskets, resurface heads if warpage detected, new head bolts, timing components, and all coolant hoses while open. 14-18 hours labor depending on shop efficiency. The FB25 is less prone to catastrophic HG failure than older EJ engines, but seepage still happens.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay when revving, Vibration felt through cabin at idle, especially with AC on, Grinding or rubbing sensation during acceleration

Fix: Replace rear transmission mount (most common failure point). Front engine mounts also wear but less frequently. 1.5-2.5 hours labor depending on access and rust. Wilderness models see slightly accelerated wear due to off-road use.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Symptoms: Rough idle or stalling after refueling, Hesitation or stumble under moderate throttle, Check engine light with fuel trim codes (P0171/P0174), Hard starting after sitting overnight

Fix: Replace in-tank fuel pump assembly including filter screen. Subaru does not list a serviceable inline filter on this model—it's integrated. 2-3 hours labor to drop tank or access via rear seat area depending on tech preference. More common with E85 or poor-quality fuel exposure.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud knocking from lower engine, increases with RPM, Sudden loss of oil pressure warning, Metallic rattling on cold start that worsens quickly, Engine seizure if driven after knock begins

Fix: Usually results from oil starvation (missed changes, low oil level) or defective bearing material. Requires full engine rebuild or short block replacement. 12-16 hours labor. Some owners report rod bearing issues even with proper maintenance—quality control concern on a small batch of FB25 engines.

Estimated cost: $6,000-9,500